Small Craft News

New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force

Posted on by News Hound
New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force
New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force

Following the launch of new regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority, effective from 1 January 2018, operators of personal watercraft must complete a theoretical as well as a practical test.

As part of the Danish Government’s efforts to enhance the safety of those using the sea for recreational purposes, the Danish Maritime Authority will now require operators of personal watercraft and the like to hold a special personal watercraft license.

Everyone who wants to operate a personal watercraft must Continue reading “New regulations from the Danish Maritime Authority for operating personal watercraft come into force”

MAIB issues safety alert on safety harness tethers on sailing yachts

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Figure 1: Tether hook under deck cleat
Figure 1: Tether hook under deck cleat

Background

The sailing yacht CV30 was taking part in the third leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race having left Cape Town on 31 October 2017 bound for Fremantle, Western Australia. At about 1414 local time on 18 November 2017, the yacht was in position 42°30.3’S, 087°36.3’E, approximately 1500nm from Fremantle, when a crew member, Simon Speirs, fell overboard. He was attached to the yacht by his safety harness tethers. The hook at the end of the tether that was clipped to a jack-line, deformed and released resulting in him becoming separated from the yacht. Simon Speirs was recovered unconscious onto the yacht but sadly could not be resuscitated.

Continue reading “MAIB issues safety alert on safety harness tethers on sailing yachts”

Wake and currents the cause of L242 pilot boat capsize

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Lifeboat on ground and in the water
Lifeboat on ground and in the water

A preliminary investigation into the capsize of the pilot boat L242 has determined that the craft did not collide with the vessel it was approaching at the time of the accident. Instead, a combination of swells, the wake from the nearby ship and powerful currents led to the capsize of the boat and the death of two individuals on board. Based on information gathered so far, investigators believe that the boat was pushed over to 90 degrees by the combination of these forces. It remained at this angle temporarily, then fully capsized.

At 1700 hours on December 8, the Swedish Maritime Rescue Center Helsinki received notification that a pilot boat had capsized east of Helsinki. The Finnish Border Guard dispatched boat units from Suomenlinna and Porvoo, along with helicopters from Helsinki and the patrol vessel Turva. The responders attempted to parbuckle the pilot boat, but it sank during the righting evolution. After the sinking, divers searched the interior and found the bodies of the boat’s two crewmembers. Continue reading “Wake and currents the cause of L242 pilot boat capsize”

MCA issues MGN 578 about conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels

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MGN 578 has been released by the UK MCA
MGN 578 has been released by the UK MCA

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a Marine Guidance Note – MGN 578 – about the use of equipment while undertaking work on commercial yachts, small commercial vessels and loadline vessels.

The aim of Marine Guidance Note MGN 578 is to provide guidance on the use of “rail and trolley” and similar systems while conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels. The key points are the following:

– To ensure that new systems comply with the current BS/EN Standards,
Continue reading “MCA issues MGN 578 about conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels”

New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age

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Speedboat propellors
Speedboat propellors

Seawork International 2018 will celebrate its 21st edition as the ‘go to’ meeting place for the European commercial marine sector.

Seawork 2018 sees an increased focus on vessel construction and maintenance, new award categories for the European Commercial Marine Awards (ECMAs) and a new Vessel Operations Conference; embracing the new MCA Codes of Practice, Cost Saving through Operational Efficiencies and Techniques, and the Future of Hybrid Drives.

Best Project of the Year is a new ECMA award category for challenges in marine civils or vessel operations. Judged by a panel of industry experts, the ECMAs recognise excellence and achievement across the commercial marine sector.

Continue reading “New conference and industry sector awards as Seawork International 2018 comes of age”

Denmark adopts new measures to enhance Danish maritime activity and boost pleasure craft business

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Danish Superyacht
Danish Superyacht

The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) announced that it has adopted a number of new initiatives in the maritime area, in order to ensure and enhance growth in Danish maritime activity and boost the pleasure craft business.

The new initiatives adopted by the Danish Government regard four areas, which are the following:

– The provisions on foreign owners’ possibility of having ships registered under the Danish flag have been adjusted and clarified. With this measure, Denmark aims to retain and extend its global position as a major attractive flag State and as a maritime hub.
Continue reading “Denmark adopts new measures to enhance Danish maritime activity and boost pleasure craft business”

Smallest SES Sea Puffin under construction by ESNA

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SES Sea Puffin as a 3D Image
SES Sea Puffin as a 3D Image

What is thought to be the smallest SES (Surface Effect Ship) workboat, called Sea Puffin, is being built in Denmark for operations on wind farms. With a length of just 15.8 metres, this new SES is being built for operators Wind Partner who plan to charter the boat out to operators.

The design for this SES, has been developed by naval architects Espeland & Skomedal (ESNA) of Norway and features a catamaran hull with fabric skirts enclosing the air cushion between the hulls. It is designed to be capable of being launched with a standard 15 tonne single point davit system.

Continue reading “Smallest SES Sea Puffin under construction by ESNA”

Gas engine for Dutch ferry completes performance tests

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The Dutch ferry
The Dutch ferry

The first two pre-production units of a Rolls-Royce mobile MTU gas engine for Rederij Doeksen have completed performance tests. The engines, which will be used for Rederij Doeksen’s Wadden Sea ferries service in The Netherlands, have completed over 5,000 hours on the test bench.

Paul Melles, managing director of Rederij Doeksen, said: “We are very happy with the test run. All the key engine parameters, such as the extremely dynamic acceleration behaviour, have now been verified by MTU.”

Continue reading “Gas engine for Dutch ferry completes performance tests”

Fairline Yachts taking over Hythe coastal complex

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Aerial shot of Hythe Coastal Complex
Aerial shot of Hythe Coastal Complex

British yard Fairline Yachts has announced its intention to begin building larger yachts after acquiring the Hythe coastal complex in Hampshire. The five-acre site was left vacant after its previous incumbents, Green Marine, went into liquidation in October 2017.

The Hythe coastal complex, which covers an area of 20,000 square metres, is scheduled to open in mid-2018 and will be used to build models over 18.29 metres in length. The construction of models under 18 metres will continue at Fairline Yacht’s current base in Oundle, Northamptonshire.

Russell Currie, managing director of Fairline Yachts, explained, “As the global yachting market evolves, clients from across the world are increasingly demanding larger yachts than we’ve been able to create. Our new site will boast state-of-the-art facilities, giving us room to expand and create bigger boats whilst making the most of the existing boatbuilding skills in the location. Continue reading “Fairline Yachts taking over Hythe coastal complex”

Marine notice issued by AMSA about how to maintain rescue boat outboard motors in good working order

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Speedboat engine
Photo credit: AMSA

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a marine notice referring to the operation and maintenance of rescue boat outboard motors and highlights key issues that ship’s crew and operators should be aware of in this crucial area.

AMSA and Port Sate Control Officers (PSCOs) announced that they increasingly find that some crew members are unfamiliar with the operation and maintenance of outboard motors, which can result in poor performance or total failure of these motors. This is a risk that cannot be taken during a rescue operation, because the consequences could be catastrophic.

Continue reading “Marine notice issued by AMSA about how to maintain rescue boat outboard motors in good working order”

Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing

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Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing
Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing

The UK Canal & River Trust is asking all boaters and boating groups to take part in the final stage of their consultation on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing, which has remained little changed for the past 20 years.

A series of licensing options based, on the feedback given by boaters in the first stages of consultation held during the spring and summer, has been drawn up. Canal & River Trust is now emailing or writing to all licence holders and other boating groups and relevant organisations to invite them to take part. Once complete, a final proposal will be put forward, including details of when any changes will come into effect.

Continue reading “Feedback sought on the future of UK inland waterways boat licensing”

Traditional Greek boat type rebuilt, Medon-Pleioni

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Traditional Greek boat type rebuilt, Medon-Pleioni
Traditional Greek boat type rebuilt, Medon-Pleioni

A traditional boat of the type that disappeared from the Greek seas 80 years ago, is now preparing for her maiden voyage. Traditional Greek boat type rebuilt, named Medon-Pleioni, has been constructed at the boat building yard Neososikos in Glyfa, Halkida.

The project is the initiative of the “Proteas” Non-profit Organisation for the Preservation of Traditional Shipbuilding & Heritage, and of the sailing enthusiast and primary consultant from the municipality of Vari, Voula and Vouliagmeni (southeast coast of Attica), Dimosthenis Dogas.

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